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Photosynthesis: AQA GCSE Combined Science questions

Every AQA GCSE Combined Science exam question on 4.4.1 Photosynthesis, 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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3,069 questions

  1. Q03.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 03.1: Which measuring cylinder should the student have used to give the most accurate results? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 10 cm3 measuring cylinder with intervals of

  2. Q03.2

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 03.2: Light intensity can be calculated using the inverse square law. The equation shows the inverse square law. light intensity ∝ 1 (distance from light source)2 Exp

  3. Q03.3

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks4.2.2 Animal tissues, organs and organ systems4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 03.3: Explain how repeating the investigation at 20 °C would affect the results. [3 marks]

  4. Q03.4

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.2.2 Animal tissues, organs and organ systems4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 03.4: Explain how repeating the investigation at 80 °C would affect the results. [2 marks]

  5. Q02.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.1: What are two control variables the student should use in the investigation? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. The distance of the lamp from the pondweed. The length

  6. Q02.2

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.2: Describe the trend shown in Table 2. [1 mark]

  7. Q02.3

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.3: Figure 4 shows the volume of oxygen when the lamp was 10 cm from the pondweed. Figure 4 What volume of oxygen is shown in Figure 4? [1 mark] Volume = cm3

  8. Q02.4

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.4: The student repeated the investigation using a measuring cylinder with smaller intervals of 0.1 cm3. What did using smaller intervals improve? [1 mark] Tick ()

  9. Q02.5

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.5: The student did the investigation at 10 °C. The student repeated the investigation at 20 °C. Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [2 marks] sm

  10. Q02.7

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.1.1 Cell structure4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.7: The cells in tissue A contain chloroplasts. What is the name of the green chemical in chloroplasts? [1 mark]

  11. Q02.9

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    3 marks4.3.1 Communicable diseases4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 02.9: Infection with apple scab fungus decreases the number of chloroplasts in the leaves. Explain why apple trees with apple scab fungus produce smaller apples than

  12. Q04.1

    June 2025 · Biology Paper 2 Higher

    4 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis4.6.2 Variation and evolution
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Biology Paper 2 Higher, question 04.1: Maize is a crop plant. A variety of maize has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to a herbicide. Explain how growing GM herbicide-resistant maize ca

  13. Q04.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.1: What is the symbol equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 6 CO2 + C6H12O6 ⟶ 6 H2O + 6 O2 C6H12O6 + 6 O2 ⟶ 6 CO2 + 6 H2O 6 CO2 + 6 H2O ⟶ C6H12O6

  14. Q04.2

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    3 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.2: Describe the effect of increasing temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. Use data from Table 2. [3 marks]

  15. Q04.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.2.2 Animal tissues, organs and organ systems4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.3: Explain why no gas was produced by the plant at 45 °C. [2 marks]

  16. Q04.4

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.4: How could the student increase the accuracy of the results? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Repeat the investigation, collecting the gas for 24 hours. Repeat the inv

  17. Q04.5

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Higher

    2 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Higher, question 04.5: The mean temperature of the greenhouse is 15 °C. A heater would keep the temperature of the greenhouse at 25 °C. Suggest two reasons against using a heater set

  18. Q05.1

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.1: Complete the equation for photosynthesis. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] nitrogen oxygen ethanol water

  19. Q05.2

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    1 mark4.4.1 Photosynthesis4.4.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.2: What is the chemical formula for glucose? [1 mark] Tick () one box. CO2 C6H12O6 H2O O2

  20. Q05.3

    June 2024 · Biology Paper 1 Foundation

    2 marks4.4.1 Photosynthesis4.4.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Biology Paper 1 Foundation, question 05.3: Give two ways plants use the glucose produced by photosynthesis. [2 marks] 1 2
All 81 questions on Photosynthesis, as a list
  1. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.1 (1 mark): Which measuring cylinder should the student have used to give the most accurate results? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 10 cm3 measuring cylinder with intervals of
  2. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.2 (3 marks): Light intensity can be calculated using the inverse square law. The equation shows the inverse square law. light intensity ∝ 1 (distance from light source)2 Exp
  3. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.3 (3 marks): Explain how repeating the investigation at 20 °C would affect the results. [3 marks]
  4. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.4 (2 marks): Explain how repeating the investigation at 80 °C would affect the results. [2 marks]
  5. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.1 (2 marks): What are two control variables the student should use in the investigation? [2 marks] Tick () two boxes. The distance of the lamp from the pondweed. The length
  6. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.2 (1 mark): Describe the trend shown in Table 2. [1 mark]
  7. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.3 (1 mark): Figure 4 shows the volume of oxygen when the lamp was 10 cm from the pondweed. Figure 4 What volume of oxygen is shown in Figure 4? [1 mark] Volume = cm3
  8. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.4 (1 mark): The student repeated the investigation using a measuring cylinder with smaller intervals of 0.1 cm3. What did using smaller intervals improve? [1 mark] Tick ()
  9. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.5 (2 marks): The student did the investigation at 10 °C. The student repeated the investigation at 20 °C. Complete the sentence. Choose the answer from the box. [2 marks] sm
  10. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.7 (1 mark): The cells in tissue A contain chloroplasts. What is the name of the green chemical in chloroplasts? [1 mark]
  11. June 2025, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.9 (3 marks): Infection with apple scab fungus decreases the number of chloroplasts in the leaves. Explain why apple trees with apple scab fungus produce smaller apples than
  12. June 2025, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.1 (4 marks): Maize is a crop plant. A variety of maize has been genetically modified (GM) to be resistant to a herbicide. Explain how growing GM herbicide-resistant maize ca
  13. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (1 mark): What is the symbol equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick () one box. 6 CO2 + C6H12O6 ⟶ 6 H2O + 6 O2 C6H12O6 + 6 O2 ⟶ 6 CO2 + 6 H2O 6 CO2 + 6 H2O ⟶ C6H12O6
  14. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.2 (3 marks): Describe the effect of increasing temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. Use data from Table 2. [3 marks]
  15. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.3 (2 marks): Explain why no gas was produced by the plant at 45 °C. [2 marks]
  16. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.4 (1 mark): How could the student increase the accuracy of the results? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Repeat the investigation, collecting the gas for 24 hours. Repeat the inv
  17. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.5 (2 marks): The mean temperature of the greenhouse is 15 °C. A heater would keep the temperature of the greenhouse at 25 °C. Suggest two reasons against using a heater set
  18. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (2 marks): Complete the equation for photosynthesis. Choose answers from the box. [2 marks] nitrogen oxygen ethanol water
  19. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): What is the chemical formula for glucose? [1 mark] Tick () one box. CO2 C6H12O6 H2O O2
  20. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): Give two ways plants use the glucose produced by photosynthesis. [2 marks] 1 2
  21. June 2024, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.4 (4 marks): A person has two greenhouses. In each greenhouse, the plants: • are all the same type • receive the same intensity of light and the same volume of water • grow
  22. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05 (6 marks): Light intensity varies during 24 hours. Figure 6 shows the overall exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen for a tree at three different light intensities. Figure
  23. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q06.1 (2 marks): Explain why starch has to be digested. [2 marks]
  24. June 2023, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.1 (1 mark): Where do plants obtain water for photosynthesis from? [1 mark]
  25. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.1 (1 mark): Why is light needed for photosynthesis? [1 mark]
  26. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.2 (1 mark): What is the equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick () one box. C6H12O6 + CO2 → 6 O2 + 6 H2O CO2 + H2O → CH2O + O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 O2 + 6 H
  27. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.3 (4 marks): A student investigated the effect of different colours of light on the rate of photosynthesis at room temperature. The student used pondweed in water. A piece o
  28. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.4 (2 marks): Why are the results for the two investigations presented differently? [2 marks]
  29. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.5 (1 mark): Suggest the range in wavelength of green light. Use Figure 8 and Figure 9. [1 mark] Range in wavelength of green light = from nm to nm
  30. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.6 (2 marks): What two measurements should the student make to calculate the rate of photosynthesis? [2 marks] 1 2
  31. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.7 (2 marks): Give two variables the student should keep the same in this investigation. [2 marks] 1 2 Table 2 shows the results. Table 2 Colour of light Rate of photosynthes
  32. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.8 (4 marks): Complete Figure 5. You should: • label the y-axis • use a suitable scale • plot the data from Table 2 as a bar chart • label each bar. [4 marks] Figure 5
  33. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q02.9 (1 mark): Look at Table 2. What colour of light should be used to grow plants in a greenhouse? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Blue Green Red
  34. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.2 (1 mark): Plants with rose black spot disease often have yellow leaves. Suggest one reason why the leaves are yellow instead of green. [1 mark]
  35. June 2022, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q03.3 (2 marks): Explain why plants with yellow leaves grow slowly. [2 marks]
  36. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.5 (4 marks): Microorganisms in the soil recycle carbon from the leaves so that the carbon is used for new plant growth. Explain how. [4 marks]
  37. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): What is one benefit of fallen leaves for living plants? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy is released for living plants. Insect pests in the soil are killed. Ni
  38. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.5 (4 marks): Microorganisms in the soil recycle carbon from the leaves so that the carbon is used for new plant growth. Explain how. [4 marks]
  39. June 2022, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.6 (1 mark): What is one benefit of fallen leaves for living plants? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Energy is released for living plants. Insect pests in the soil are killed. Ni
  40. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.1 (1 mark): Which is the equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick () one box. C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 H2O + 6 O2 → C6H12O6 + 6 CO
  41. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.2 (1 mark): What was the independent variable in this investigation? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Distance of the pondweed from the lamp Length of the piece of pondweed Numbe
  42. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.3 (2 marks): Explain how an increase in temperature would affect the results of this investigation. [2 marks]
  43. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.4 (1 mark): Suggest one way the investigation could be improved so the temperature of the water does not increase. [1 mark]
  44. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.5 (2 marks): Suggest two improvements to the investigation so the results would be more valid. Do not refer to controlling the temperature of the water. [2 marks] 1 2 DO NOT
  45. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.6 (1 mark): Calculate the rate of photosynthesis when the pondweed was 40 cm from the lamp. Give the rate of photosynthesis as the number of bubbles of gas produced per min
  46. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.7 (1 mark): Give one conclusion that can be made from Table 1. [1 mark]
  47. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.8 (3 marks): Plot the data from Table 1 on Figure 2. Draw a line of best fit. [3 marks] Figure 2
  48. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q01.9 (1 mark): Predict the number of bubbles that would be produced in 5 minutes if the pondweed was 60 cm from the lamp. Use Figure 2. [1 mark] Number of bubbles produced in
  49. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q04.5 (3 marks): Explain why plants infected with tobacco mosaic virus grow slowly. [3 marks]
  50. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q01.3 (4 marks): Chemicals are produced in cells. Complete the sentences. Choose answers from the box. [4 marks] cellulose DNA glycogen starch urea A chemical excreted by animal
  51. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q04.4 (1 mark): Give one use of sugars in a plant. [1 mark]
  52. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.1 (1 mark): Which is the equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick () one box. C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O 6 CO2 + 6 H2O → C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 H2O + 6 O2 → C6H12O6 + 6 CO
  53. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.2 (1 mark): What was the independent variable in this investigation? [1 mark] Tick () one box. Distance of the pondweed from the lamp Length of the piece of pondweed Numbe
  54. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.3 (2 marks): Explain how an increase in temperature would affect the results of this investigation. [2 marks]
  55. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.4 (1 mark): Suggest one way the investigation could be improved so the temperature of the water does not increase. [1 mark]
  56. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.5 (2 marks): Suggest two improvements to the investigation so the results would be more valid. Do not refer to controlling the temperature of the water. [2 marks] 1 2 DO NOT
  57. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.6 (1 mark): Calculate the rate of photosynthesis when the pondweed was 40 cm from the lamp. Give the rate of photosynthesis as the number of bubbles of gas produced per min
  58. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.7 (1 mark): Give one conclusion that can be made from Table 2. [1 mark]
  59. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.8 (3 marks): Plot the data from Table 2 on Figure 7. Draw a line of best fit. [3 marks] Figure 7
  60. November 2021, Biology Paper 1 Foundation, Q05.9 (1 mark): Predict the number of bubbles that would be produced in 5 minutes if the pondweed was 60 cm from the lamp. Use Figure 7. [1 mark] Number of bubbles produced in
  61. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.1 (1 mark): How can oxygen production be used to show the rate of photosynthesis? [1 mark]
  62. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.2 (1 mark): Name the factor that is limiting the rate of photosynthesis at point X. [1 mark]
  63. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.3 (1 mark): What is the minimum light intensity a farmer should use to get the maximum rate of photosynthesis shown in Figure 5? [1 mark] Light intensity = lux
  64. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.4 (3 marks): The light intensity you gave in Question 05.3 may not give the farmer maximum profit. Explain why. [3 marks]
  65. November 2020, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.5 (4 marks): Explain the results when the light intensity was 0 lux. Use Figure 5. [4 marks]
  66. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q07.2 (1 mark): Describe one way forests being called ‘The lungs of the planet’ can be considered to be a correct statement. [1 mark]
  67. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q03.3 (6 marks): All the chemicals in a plant are recycled when the plant dies. Describe how: • microorganisms recycle chemicals • the chemicals are used again by new plants. [6
  68. November 2020, Biology Paper 2 Foundation, Q05.6 (3 marks): There were more plant species growing in the area where there were no trees. Explain why. [3 marks]
  69. June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.6 (3 marks): The investigations were carried out in daylight. The air bubble would not move if the investigations were done in the dark. Explain why. [3 marks]
  70. June 2019, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q05.5 (3 marks): Nitrate ions are essential for plants to grow. Describe how nitrate ions are used in a plant to help the plant grow. [3 marks]
  71. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q02.3 (6 marks): Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Figure 2 shows part of the carbon cycle. Figure 2 Describe how carbon from the atmosphere is cycled through l
  72. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.2 (4 marks): Many orchid plants: • grow attached to other types of plants • have brightly coloured flowers • produce large quantities of pollen • produce thousands of tiny,
  73. June 2019, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q04.3 (4 marks): One present day species has bright purple flowers. Describe how an orchid with bright purple flowers may have evolved from the ancestral species which has pale
  74. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.1 (1 mark): What is the correct balanced equation for photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick one box. C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O O2 + H2O  C6H12O6 + CO2 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O
  75. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.2 (1 mark): What type of reaction is photosynthesis? [1 mark] Tick one box. Aerobic Endothermic Exothermic Oxidation
  76. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.3 (2 marks): Counting the number of bubbles produced in 1 minute is not an accurate way to measure the rate of photosynthesis. Suggest two ways the method could be improved
  77. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.4 (2 marks): The LED light source does not get hot. Explain why it is important that the pondweed remains at a constant temperature. [2 marks]
  78. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.5 (3 marks): Light intensity can be calculated using the inverse square law: I ∝ 1 d 2 Where I is light intensity and d is the distance of the pondweed from the light source
  79. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.6 (2 marks): The student’s results are shown in Table 1 Table 1 Distance of the pondweed from the light source in cm Number of bubbles produced in 1 minute 5 129 10 31 20 8
  80. June 2018, Biology Paper 1 Higher, Q03.7 (3 marks): Describe how the student could change the method to investigate the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis. You should include: •
  81. June 2018, Biology Paper 2 Higher, Q01.2 (3 marks): Explain why the students thought their hypothesis would be correct. [3 marks]

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